About Dr Jo (PhD, M.Ed, B.Ed)
Dr Joanne Orlando (PhD, M.Ed, B.Ed) is one of the world's leading social commentators and analysts on our digital behaviour and lifestyle. She draws on a range of data sets to interpret and provide solutions to our most pressing digital lifestyle issues both now and into the future. She argues that online spaces are powerful forces that are reshaping the way we live, the way we work, learn, our relationships and life goals, often in unexpected ways.
Joanne is the ongoing digital expert for Australian TV including Sunrise, the Today Show, The Morning Show and Today Extra, and is a writer for the Sydney Morning Herald and has published a long list of articles globally. Dr Jo’s expertise was recently featured on 7:30 Report, and Sunday Life. Her commentary deals with understanding the stress and challenges that relate social media use, gaming, online communication, AI, tech for work and learning. Knowledge is power, and Joanne's focus is on understanding and providing solutions for adults and children.
Joanne has studied and worked within university research centres, key multinational organisations and governments around the world. She holds a PhD in Digital Behaviour from University of Technology Sydney. Her latest book 'Life Mode On: How to feel less stressed, more present and back in control when using technology' is available globally.
Dr Jo is best-known for introducing new movements into our everyday life. She introduced the term ‘Sharenting,’ the implications of parents sharing their kid’s images online, ‘Zombie Scrolling’, mindlessly scrolling your phone, and the term ‘Finsta’ (Teen’s fake Instagram accounts), a term which has also circled the globe and included in pop-culture TV programs such as ‘Younger’.
Joanne recently launched her own brand TechClever, an evidenced-based digital literacy education program for parents and schools.
Joanne lives in Sydney, Australia and works globally.
If you would like to work with Dr Jo, get in touch.
Pearls of wisdom from Dr Jo
Quotes that matter from Dr Jo’s articles and appearances
‘Online hoaxes that threaten your kids one day, and turn out to be fake the next, are mentally and emotionally exhausting for kids and adults. Parents can feel an increasing lack of control. But this doesn’t need to be the case. There are tools and tricks you can apply to help you spot a hoax.’
‘Technology has undoubtedly become essential for productivity and communication in our professional and personal lives. However, the most prominent reason users of all ages reach for their device is not to work, but to "zombie check". These are the unthinking times you use your device throughout the day to avoid boredom.’
‘Taking smartphones away from classrooms will cease smartphone distraction, but there is no guarantee it will lead to Aussie kids achieving better standards. Results will only improve if kids are engaged in learning and this happens when they see the relevance in school learning.’
‘In my research with teenagers about their technology use, they are very quick to flip the tables and point out the violence and aggression that is part of real, traditional sport. And they have a point. Many parents feel the hypocrisy of barracking their child on the footy field shouting out ‘go hard… tackle them…don’t be a princess!’, yet complaining about on screen violence.’
